What keeps you motivated? Teaching in project-based, short-term programmes on a university campus allows me to meet a large number of students from diverse countries and backgrounds. Through collaborative working, I learn what makes different people tick. It's incredibly rewarding to have a glimpse into so many people's lives.

Best teaching moment? When asked to run a short workshop on the topic of health, a student decided to teach the class laughter yoga. The whole class participated and were in stitches. Until that point, the student running the workshop had appeared bashful but her demeanour changed completely from that moment on.

And worst? Not establishing firm class rules about eating and mobile phone use for one class. The class descended into a chaotic frenzy of crisps, pizza, ice-cream and brownies even before I arrived at nine in the morning. The junk food-inspired lack of concentration was perpetuated by constant instant messaging (disguised as "dictionary" use).

What have you learned? Enough for some students to ask me how long I had lived in countries I have never visited. Sometimes I struggle to focus on the form of what students are saying because I'm so curious about the content.

Biggest challenge? Estimating timing in project-based learning. If a project is spread out over several days, differences in students' pace can be difficult to manage. I dislike rushing students but with several groups working separately, we need to have clear deadlines.

What's next? Mentoring a trainee teacher from a local community college. Also research, possibly into social networking, social cohesion between classmates or lying in a foreign language.

Top tip? Be interested in your students from the very beginning: learning students' names and how to pronounce them is an essential step to building a trusting relationship. The more you understand about your students, the easier it is to keep them engaged.

Andy Wilkins, 33, from Britain, teaches English to international students at the English Language Institute, University of British Columbia, Canada

If you are a full-time teacher, you are established in your current teaching role and you have an inspiring story to tell, we would like to hear from you. Send us your Class report